Manhasset is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. Manhasset is a Native American term that translates to "the island neighborhood." A 2005 Wall Street Journal article ranked Manhasset as the best town for raising a family in the New York metropolitan area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,362 people, 2,831 households, and 2,185 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,350.9/km² (3,505.8/mi²). There were 2,917 housing units at an average density of 471.2/km² (1,223.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 75.1% White, 12.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population. (please note that the statistics are of the year 2000)

There were 2,831 households out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 6.81 and the average family size was 5.73.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $88,472, and the median income for a family was $104,601. Males had a median income of $65,294 versus $41,997 for females. The per capita income for the town was $43,454. 5.7% of the population and 3.9% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.4% are under the age of 18 and 6.9% are 65 or older.

Manhasset is a heavily Catholic community, which caused some tension when the North Hempstead Supervisor objected to a priest's blessing at a 2005 Christmas tree lighting in the village.


Information courtesy of US Census Bureau and wikipedia.org